Instruction will center on effective use of technology to provide differentiated instruction by creating simple technology stations. These stations will focus on specific content standards aimed at improving student achievement.

Technology provides teachers with many resources and media for differentiating. Teachers will explore example software and websites that will allow students to work independently at a student computer while completing curriculum related, relevant, meaningful, and engaging activities.




ISTE NETS FOR TEACHERS 2008
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and
thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face
and virtual environments.

Agenda -
  • Intro to DI w/Technology Learning Stations
  • Using Powerful Images
  • Collecting and Creating Station(s)
  • Lunch Break 11:00am - 12pm
  • Videos and Podcasts/Vodcasts
  • Using Powerful Online Resources and Using Common Software

Essential Beliefs

for Successful Implementation:
  1. The station matters. It impacts student achievement.
  2. Stations are standards-based.
  3. Small groups or individuals work at stations. They are independent work.
  4. Teacher must embrace Differentiated Instruction and Best Practices.
  5. Grades can be given. Stations have some built in accountability piece.
  6. Students are engaged & motivated!
  7. Technology stations are most effective when they address standards AND they interest and inspire students. Doing the same old things with technology lessens technology's potential for student engagement and increased achievement.


Session Objectives

  1. Generate excitement for DI with technology
  2. Provide ideas for easy implementation of tech stations
  3. Create differentiated technology station(s) appropriate for teaching assignment(s)


Elementary

This course is not intended to completely cover copyright policies, however, please know that, at the very minimum, you must site sources and NOT use photos labeled as "copyright, unable to be reproduced without permission, etc." If you are a teacher in the CMCSS school system and would like to know more about copyright or online research strategies for students, sign on to PLAN and sign up for our course called Online Research Strategies for Students.

10 Tips For Effective Internet Research in Elementary by Tracey Hoover – January 2009


The lists below are NOT comprehensive. They are simply a place to start. If you know of sources that would make great additions to our list, please email Tracey Hoover or Chris Pugh.

Picture Sources -

Video Sources -

Remember, video clips are powerful. A 30-minute video is passive. Three seconds to a minute or two might be enough.

Podcast Directories - Podcast Copyright Quick Link

For Searching Through 1000's of Podcasts Over Many Different Subjects/Genre

Examples

  • Sesame Street - http://www.sesamestreet.org/podcasts/- Vocabulary centered 5-minute video podcast with one word per episode - 5 minutes
    • Example - "Predicament with Charlie Gibson" or "Gigantic" with Amhad Rashad
  • Math Snacks - http://mathsnacks.org/index.html - Math podcasts for middle school students. There are many different topics and they last around 5 minutes each.
  • Princeton Review Vocabulary Minute - http://princetonreview.com/podcasts.aspx - This is an audio only podcast that uses creative and engaging jingles to introduce high end vocabulary. Grades 3-12. Note that these podcasts were designed to prepare middle and high school students for the ACT or SAT. NOT all episodes are appropriate for elementary or middle school, but it is WELL WORTH the time to screen them!
    • Example to Use- "Pan is the Greek Word for All"
    • Point out how some might be inappropriate for elem...Example to Use - "Don't Call me Fatso, Beanpole" { a song to put people down with higher vocabulary} and "Yo Mama" {familiar Yo Mama jokes with higher level vocabulary}
  • Voicethread - http://voicethread.com - Use the Browse button to search by topic, or the teacher can create a podcast to which the students can respond.
  • Preschool Example (if needed) - iTunes - "Wowzies"
  • Dragonfly TV - http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/ - Real kids doing real science activities and explorations for upper elementary;

*Examples of station work:
1. Allow teachers to listen to Princeton's "America the Pulchritudinous" and then watch the "America the Pulchritudinous" video created by Anne Harris's class. http://thebalcony.wikispaces.com/

Websites

The number of appropriate and useful standards-based websites are limitless. We have included only a few, but we hope you will use many great sites for your differentiated stations.

Using Software

(Commonly Available on CMCSS Student Computers)
  • Kidspiration3 - Visual Organizer for Reading, Writing, Science, and Social Studies with a whole section of Math Virtual Manipulatives
  • Google Earth - This is globe software that puts pictures, videos, data, and more in the real places they occurred on the Earth. Access to Stars, Planets, and Constellations is available in the Sky portion. Access to Google Mars is available in the Mars section.
  • PhotoBooth (For MacBooks in Mobile Labs or Flat-Panel iMacs) - Operates the camera built into the newer Apple computers. There are special effects that can be added to the pictures and video clips taken by this software. The photos can be transferred to iPhoto with a single button click.
  • iPhoto - Photo Library/Photo Editing software
  • iMovie - Movie/Video Podcast Creation Software
  • Garageband - Music/Audio Podcast Creation Software
  • iTunes - Music/Podcast Library and Directory
  • TuxPaint - Digital Drawing Program
  • OpenOffice.org/NeoOffice - Office suite of programs including a word processor, spreadsheet program, presentation program, drawing program, database, and equation editor; Compatible with Microsoft Office in that it can open and create files that work with Microsoft's programs
  • Dictionary (On Macs Only) - Digital dictionary that searches and shows results for definitions, thesaurus entries, and Wikipedia

Rubrics:
How to create rubrics-http://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps/thinking/docs/rubricar.htm
Online tool for creating Rubrics-http://rubistar.4teachers.org/
More information on rubrics- http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/assess.html


Middle School

In this session, we will explore examples and spend time creating stations using images, video clips, podcasts and vodcasts, online resources, and software common found on student and teacher resources in our system.

This course is not intended to completely cover copyright policies, however, please know that, at the very minimum, you must site sources and NOT use photos labeled as "copyright, unable to be reproduced without permission, etc." If you are a teacher in the CMCSS school system and would like to know more about copyright or online research strategies for students, sign on to PLAN and sign up for our course called Online Research.

HCPS - Copyright in the Classroom

A good place to start exploring differentiating instruction with technology is from the Differentiating Instruction and Middle School Learners by Grace E. Smith and Stephanie Throne published through ISTE.

9 Tips For Effective Internet Research**

Image sites are listed above.
Video sites are listed above.
Podcast and Vodcast directories are listed above.
Voicethread will also be explored. It could literally fit into any of the three topics above.
Websites are listed above. Expect the list to grow as participants find and share.

Pacing Guide w/standards - http://curriculum.cmcss.net/

Middle School Specific Software

Inspiration (Middle School)
Google Earth - explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others.
Learning Essentials for Microsoft Office (PC only, on student machines)

Lesson Directory

Use the following chart to view the topic, student activity, and shared location of stations created by CMCSS teachers that are available in your subject area (see the tabs at the bottom). Check back for updates!


Archived DI Technology Lessons -
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rFQstso3fn4L9MKA5kLq2yA&output=html